Home/Renewable Energy/Guides/Air Source Heat Pump — UK Cost & Grant Guide

Cost an air source heat pump.

Standard ASHP — £10-15k fitted, £7,500 BUS grant. Sized to your home heat-loss survey.

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Inadequate heat-loss calculation

Cheap quotes skip proper survey. ASHP undersized, house never warm.

Radiators not upgraded

Old radiators sized for 75°C flow won't deliver enough heat at 45°C. Always size new radiators properly.

Poor insulation first

ASHP only economical in well-insulated houses. Spend £3,000 on insulation before specifying ASHP.

Noisy outdoor unit

Cheap units run 50+ dB. Quality 35–40 dB. Position matters for neighbours.

Costs & timeline

Know what it costs. Know when it ends.

Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.

Cost range

By job type

Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
ASHP 8 kW system (small home)Daikin, Mitsubishi, Vaillant
£9k–£13k
ASHP 12 kW system (medium)3–4 bed home
£11k–£16k
ASHP 16 kW+ (large home)4+ bed, less insulated
£14k–£22k
Radiator upgrade for ASHPLarger for low flow temp
£1.5k–£5k
Pipework upgrade if needed22mm flow and return
£800–£3.5k
Net cost after grantHighly variable
£2.5k–£15k
!

Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.

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Air Source Heat Pump — UK Cost & Grant Guide infographic
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Renewable Energy explained

Air source heat pumps (ASHP) extract heat from outdoor air and pump it into your home — renewable electric heating. £7,500 government grant available. Expect to pay £10,000–£20,000 for UK ASHP installation before grant.

What Does the Work Involve?

MCS-certified installer surveys property. Heat-loss calculation in detail. Outdoor compressor unit positioned (side of house, garden). Indoor cylinder unit replaces boiler. Radiators upsized for lower flow temperature (45-55°C vs gas 65-75°C). Pipework upgraded if undersized. Smart thermostat with weather compensation.

Typical Costs

ItemLow (£)High (£)Notes
ASHP 8 kW system (small home)9,00013,000Daikin, Mitsubishi, Vaillant
ASHP 12 kW system (medium)11,00016,0003–4 bed home
ASHP 16 kW+ (large home)14,00022,0004+ bed, less insulated
Radiator upgrade for ASHP1,5005,000Larger for low flow temp
Pipework upgrade if needed8003,50022mm flow and return
BUS grant (England/Wales)-7,500-7,500For ASHP installation
Net cost after grant2,50015,000Highly variable

How Long Does It Take?

Full ASHP install: 5–10 days. Heat-loss survey: 2–4 hours. Outdoor unit positioning: 1 day. Indoor cylinder and pipework: 2–3 days.

DIY or Professional?

MCS-certified installer required for BUS grant and warranties. F-Gas certified engineer for refrigerant work.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

MCS-certified with heat pump experience. Heat-loss calculation in writing. 5-year minimum warranty. Confirm grant application route.

UK Regulations

MCS certification required for grant. Building Regs Part L (thermal), Part P (electrical), F-Gas Regulations 2014. Planning permission usually permitted development; conservation areas may need permission.

Common Problems

  • Inadequate heat-loss calculation: Cheap quotes skip proper survey. ASHP undersized, house never warm.
  • Radiators not upgraded: Old radiators sized for 75°C flow won't deliver enough heat at 45°C. Always size new radiators properly.
  • Poor insulation first: ASHP only economical in well-insulated houses. Spend £3,000 on insulation before specifying ASHP.
  • Noisy outdoor unit: Cheap units run 50+ dB. Quality 35–40 dB. Position matters for neighbours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will ASHP work in my house?

Yes for most UK homes with good insulation (EPC C or better). Poor insulation (E or below) needs upgrade first.

How much do I save?

Annual running cost typically 30–50% lower than oil; 5–25% lower than mains gas. With time-of-use tariffs, more savings.

What's BUS grant?

Boiler Upgrade Scheme — £7,500 toward ASHP. England/Wales. Through 2028.

How long does ASHP last?

15–20 years. Quality units (Daikin, Mitsubishi, Vaillant): 20+ years.

Hybrid systems?

Gas + ASHP combinations exist. Less common as electricity costs come down. Most BUS grant installs are full conversion.

Best ASHP brand?

Daikin Altherma: market leader. Mitsubishi Ecodan: UK support. Vaillant aroTHERM: European premium. Worcester Bosch CDi: gas boiler company.

This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.

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